The newest acquisition for Phoenix Sundowners controlled the game from the centre of the diamond, pitching an unfaltering string of fast balls, which none of the opposition could score from.

McMillan then hit the home run that put the only score on the board to win the extraordinarily close game 1-0.

McMillan, a newcomer to the competition this season, remained strong, confident, and unruffled against an experienced team.

Phoenix Finnians battled hard and produced a fine effort that prevented a bigger scoreline.

Despite the double plays and classic catches in the field, one taken by pitcher Angela Best as the ball was hit back at her at frightening speed, Phoenix Finnians couldn’t produce the elusive runs to record a victory.

The result capped off a stellar start to the season for three members of the Sundowners outfit in particular who experienced success at the World Masters Games in Sydney.

Rowena Meers, Jenny Clark and Minnie Duncan-Osborne all won silver medals at the international games.

Meers and Clark joined a Canberra-based team for their international campaign, while in a separate division Duncan-Osborne’s Melbourne-based squad came up trumps too.

In the other local game on the weekend, Phoenix Settlers and competition newcomers the Forster Lakers were inseparable.

At the end of the teams’ exciting encounter, the scoreline read 8-all.

Next weekend the Laurieton Magpies will play Taree’s Geckos while Laurieton Indians take on Phoenix Finnians – their games start at 2pm.

In the later fixtures, at 4pm, Wauchope’s Warriors play Phoenix Settlers and Forster’s Lakers take on Phoenix Sundowners.